This sounds like the Oade recording for this show. The new transfer is much more dynamic.

sang a little while and then flew on.

I don't remember much of this show except that it was a bit mellow considering the previous 10 days. I was living in Phx, me and my buddy flew to Durango, hitched to 3 shows at Red Rocks, hitched again to Telluride (had tix already), hitched back to Durango and flew back to Phx. Pink Floyd (Dave Gilmour version) played at Compton the day before. I was so exhausted but another friend had 8th row so I went. THEN... caught this show. Wow what a week.

There was was some great acid floating around this event and I was fortunate enough to find some.

For years, the only thing I remembered about this show was a very poignant (to me) rendering of 'Wake up your Chiiiina Doll' and it brought me back to my right sense for a few seconds. I was very pressed to believe I had the right show when I finally found this set and saw there was no China Doll that night. Must-a been working on a different level once again... ;)

The sets sound tight to me even if the mix is a little off and there seems like there was definitely some magic there that night.

Enjoy

This may have been recorded onto PCM, but not Dat. Dat didn't hit the market till later that year...cm

The first show in the (at the time) 8th most populous city in America since the Dead's 1st performed show of 1983.

1st Set: Your run of the mill "Hell" opens up the festivities. Bobby's rearing to go, but the band is stuck in mellow mode. "Sugaree" is lucidly told, but nothing outstanding. "Walkin" sounds more mature than some of the earlier '87 versions, but is Not blistering. "Ramble's" got a sufficient amount of wah-wah's to make it interesting. "Esau," yay...it's fine. "Peggy's" got a reassuring, hopeful backbeat and Jerry's ethereal notes to counter this tale of lost and found love. Some dude at 6:41 needs "Jerrrryyy.." Alright, let's build to a mild but fun "Greatest." We segue right into an increasingly solid "Bertha." and after only 50 minutes of music, "We'll be back in a little bit." :(

I'm thinking- August in Phoenix... oy, let's just plan on putting forth consistent energy through 2 1/4 hours. Ever fried an egg on granite?

2nd Set: Jerry's swayerrific on "Crazy" but the drums are mired in the bog of an Arizona summer evening. "Playin"'s got a spicy clover so the meal becomes Not only more sustainable, but also more satisfying. Unfortunately, the "Terrapin" that follows is more of the former, besides the tight climax. "Drums" is convincingly done, but the "Space" drifts by without thought. There's virility in Brent's "Fantasy," as there is strength in a fresh sounding "Wharf." Maybe, the men haven't realized that a desert severely cools off in the evening. Not much to the "Throwin" intro, but Bobby's ready to belt. It's worthy, and thank goodness the neglected for 55 months AZ crowd gets to be on the rotation for the '87 return of "Lovelight."

"Black," the 4th 'new' tune of the evening-and the only time it would be played in the southwest...,closes the show.

This was my first show, and it was the day after the Harmonic Convergence as well, I don't remember much of the show, but it was a life changing experience to say the least!!!!!

Thanks to the tapers for giving me a chance to dig on it again!